Liquid cooling assemblies

ABSTRACT

A large scale liquid cooling assembly includes a plurality of individual liquid cooling spray units, each of which has a plurality of liquid spray members adapted for controlled projection of liquid drops in trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal components extending in one common horizontal direction from the spray members of that particular spray unit, with drop sizes, velocities and volume rates of liquid spraying adapted to provide a directional wind effect across said unit along said one horizontal direction. These spray units are arranged in first and second row portions from which liquid is projected in respectively different first and second directions. The preferred assembly has such spray units located and arranged in first and second spaced generally parallel rows with a plurality of cooling units in each row, and with an inner reservoir portion between the rows, a first outer reservoir portion outside the first row, and a second outer reservoir portion outside the second row. In one embodiment, the spray units in the respective rows are aligned and oriented to project liquid drops inwardly from each row over and into the inner reservoir portion, and in another embodiment the spray units in each row are aligned and oriented to project liquid drops outwardly over and into their respective outer reservoir portions. Specific embodiments are shown in which the horizontal directions of the directional wind effects from the various rows are arranged to take advantage of various ambient conditions, and in which the individual spray units within one row portion can be controlled independently of the individual spray units in another row portion in accordance with the ambient wind conditions at any given time.

United States Patent 1 1 Boler i 1 LIQUID COOLING ASSEMBLIES Leonard J.Boler, Minneapolis, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Cherne Industrial, 1nc., Edina,

Minn.

221 Filed: Oct. 10, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 296,779

[75] Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,233,119 7/1917 Parker62/305 1,586,083 5/1926 Greene 261/116 1,778,364 10/1930 Lewis 261/1161,868,632 7/1932 Edge 239/521 2,591,100 4/1952 Rouse........ 239/232,934,325 4/1960 Haglund 261/92 3,719,353 3/1973 Cheme et al. 261/923,785,626 1/1974 Bradley, Jr. et a1 261/36 R FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 406,192 11/1924 Germany 261/92 149,276 3/1955 Sweden.......261/92 383,680 1/1908 Francem. 261/90 8,798 4/1908 France 261/90 PrimaryExaminerTim R. Miles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dorsey, Marquart,Windhorst, West & Halladay {57] ABSTRACT A large scale liquid coolingassembly includes a plural- 1 1 June 17, 1975 ity of individual liquidcooling spray units, each of which has a plurality of liquid spraymembers adapted for controlled projection of liquid drops intrajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal componentsextending in one common horizontal direction from the spray members ofthat particular spray unit, with drop sizes, velocities and volume ratesof liquid spraying adapted to provide a directional wind effect acrosssaid unit along said one horizontal direction. These spray units arearranged in first and second row portions from which liquid is projectedin respectively different first and second directions. The preferredassembly has such spray units located and arranged in first and secondspaced generally parallel rows with a plurality of cooling units in eachrow, and with an inner reservoir portion between the rows, a first outerreservoir portion outside the first row, and a second outer reservoirportion outside the second row.

in one embodiment, the spray units in the respective rows are alignedand oriented to project liquid drops inwardly from each row over andinto the inner reservoir portion, and in another embodiment the sprayunits in each row are aligned and oriented to project liquid dropsoutwardly over and into their respective outer reservoir portions.Specific embodiments are shown in which the horizontal directions of thedirectional wind effects from the various rows are arranged to takeadvantage of various ambient conditions, and in which the individualspray units within one row portion can be controlled independently ofthe individual spray units in another row portion in accordance with theambient wind conditions at any given time.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN 1 7 I975 SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17ms sum 2 1 LIQUID COOLING ASSEMBLIES CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHERAPPLICATIONS Certain features of the liquid cooling spray unitsdescribed in the present application, as well as additional embodimentsof such units suitable for use in the liquid assemblies of the presentapplication are claimed in one or more of two copending applicationsfiled on the same date as the present application, identified by US.Ser. Nos. 296,777 and 296778, and respectively entitled LIQUID COOLINGAPPARATUS" and MOD- ULAR LIQUID COOLING SPRAY UNITS". Each of thoseapplications is assigned to the same assignee as the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In commercial applications where largequantities of water or other liquid are used for the cooling ofapparatus in an operating plant, there is a continuing need for improvedmethods and apparatus by which the heated liquid which is delivered fromheat exchangers in such a plant, after performing its cooling function,can again be cooled to a substantial degree for recirculation andfurther use within the plant, or for reintroduction of the liquid to anatural source, such as a lake or river, from which it may have beeninitially drawn. There have been a number of different devices, such aslarge cooling towers, cooling ponds extending over substantial areas ofland, and different aerating devices, all of which have been either usedor suggested for the cooling of desired quantities of liquid to avoidthe problems generally referred to by the term thermal pollution ormerely to provide a desired cooling of a given liquid for recirculation.Such earlier devices and installations, particularly those in whichliquid is sprayed or aerated in some manner above a cooling pond orliquid reservoir, have sometimes been handicapped in operation bysaturation of the air above such an installation with moisture and bythe reduced cooling efficiency due to the gradual increase oftemperature of air above such an installation which is not adequatelyremoved by ambient wind conditions. Thus the efficiency of operation ofsuch prior installations is often at the mercy of the ambient weatherconditions, such as the absence of any effective ambient wind, or aprevailing wind in a direction adverse to the desired cooling effectsabove the installation.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a largescale liquid cooling assembly or installation which can take maximumadvantage of ambient wind conditions and which can even provide its owndesired directional wind effects regardless of such ambient conditions.Such an assembly includes a plurality of liquid cooling spray units,each of which has a plurality of liquid spray members adapted forcontrolled projection of liquid drops in trajectories. substantially allof which have horizontal components extending in only one horizontaldirection from the spray members of that particular spray unit, withdrop sizes, velocities and volume rates of liquid spraying which areadapted to provide a directional wind effect across such unit along saidone horizontal direction.

In its broadest aspects, the present invention involves the arrangementof a plurality of spray units in first and second row portions fromwhich liquid is projected in different horizontal directions. Such rowportions can be entirely separate from each other or can be angularlyrelated portions along a common path. Such different row portions canalso project liquid in any desired different horizontal directions. Thepreferred embodiment, however, projects such liquid from two rowportions which are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. Inthat case, the assembly has such spray units located and arranged infirst and second spaced generally parallel rows with a plurality ofcooling units in each row, and with an inner reservoir portion betweensaid rows, a first outer reservoir portion outside the first row, and asecond outer reservoir portion outside the second row. The spray unitsin the first row are aligned and oriented to project liquid drops in onehorizontal direction across one of the reservoir portions, and the sprayunits in the second row are aligned and oriented to project liquid dropsin the opposite horizontal direction. Such inner and outer reservoirportions may be parts ofa common cooling pond or liquid reservoirextending over a substantial area or may be formed, in some cases, asconduit sections extending along a common path between an inlet pointfor heated liquid and an outlet point for cooled liquid.

When the liquid cooling spray units are arranged in first and secondspaced generally parallel rows, with an inner reservoir portion betweensaid rows and first and second outer reservoir portions outside therespective rows, the liquid spray units are preferably oriented in eachrow so that liquid is sprayed over and into the inner reservoir portionbetween the rows. In such a case the units are spaced far enough apartto permit full projection of the liquid drops inwardly from each row toachieve the desired degree of cooling. At the same time, the outerreservoir portions can be of limited dimensions and can even be in theform of conduits having cross-sections just sufficient to supply thedesired volume rates of heated liquid to the various individual sprayunits along each row. To take maximum advantage of variations in ambientconditions, the first and second rows are arragned in a plurality ofpairs of row portions, each of which has a plurality of cooling units ineach row of that portion, and in which the first and second rows of onepair of row portions extend generally along a first horizontal directionand the first and second rows of another pair of row portions extendalong a second horizontal direction which is oriented at an angle to thedirection of the first pair of row portions. In specific installationsand embodiments, the respective row portions can be arranged at oppositesides completely surrounding an intermediate inner reservoir area intowhich heated liquid is projected and toward which directional windeffects are provided by the spray members from all directions, and fromwhich the heated air resulting from evaporative cooling of the projectedliquid is forced generally upwardly in a chimney effect. Otherarrangements include the orientation of individual row portions asdiverging spokes extending radially from a common central point in aplurality of directions, as well as arrangements of a plurality of pairsof row portions along successive longitudinal sections of a common pathextending from an inlet point for heated liquid to an outlet point forcooled liquid, and with different portions of said path extendingsuccessively in different compass directions between said inlet andoutlet.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description, in which the preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown and described in greater detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which form a part ofthis application, and in which like reference characters indicate likeparts,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of liquid cooling assemblyaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred liquid cooling as semblyinstallation according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 44 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial plan view of a portion shown at the lowerleft of the installation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of another liquid cooling assemblyinstallation according to the present invention, showing how desiredwind effects can be directed inwardly from all sides into a common innerreservoir portion to force heated air upwardly in a sort of chimneyeffect; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of one of the straightline portions ofthe installation of FIG. 3, showing the manner in which the presentinvention achieves more effective cooling under ambient wind conditionsin which the wind direction extends along and parallel to one or morerows of liquid cooling spray units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a liquidcooling assembly or installation according to the invention is arragnedadjacent an operating plant 12, from which heated liquid to be cooled isfed to an inlet point 13 and along a liquid reservoir portion or channel14 to a central point 16. From this point the heated liquid extendsoutwardly in spoke-like channels, such as channel 17 oriented inlongitudinal alignment with the incoming channel 14, aligned channels 18and 19 extending at a substantial angle to the channels 14 and 17, andone or more additional pairs of channels such as 21 and 22, alsoangularly related to the other pairs of channels.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, the liquid cooling assembly ofFIG. 1 includes a plurality of individual liquid cooling spray units 23.24 and 26 arranged in a first row portion 27 as shown in FIG. 1. Eachspray unit includes a plurality of spray members, as will be furtherdescribed in connection with FIG. 2, each of which is adapted to projectliquid drops in trajectories, substantially all of which have horizontalcomponents extending in one horizontal direction from the particularspray unit. Thus in FIG. 1, the units 23, 24 and 26 all project liquiddrops as shown in a direction at right angles to the row 27 along whichthese spray units are aligned.

As further shown in FIG. 1 a plurality of additional spray units arealigned at 28 along a second row portion 29 at the other side of theheated liquid channel 22. Spray units 28 are located and oriented toproject liquid drops in the opposite direction from the liquid coolingspray units of the first row 29. Thus the spray units in the first row27 project liquid outwardly into a first outer reservoir portion 31 atthe outside of said row from the channel or inner reservoir portion 22,while the spray units 28 in the second row portion 29 project liquiddrops outwardly in the opposite direction to a second outer reservoirportion 32.

As further shown in FIG. 1, additional row portions can be arranged asshown at 33 and 34 on each side of the heated liquid inner reservoir orconduit 17 to project liquid drops in respectively opposite horizontaldirections into outer reservoir portions 36 and 31. The spoke-likearrangement of FIG. 1, thus provides different row portions of sprayunits in which the directions of liquid projection are at an angle toeach other. Similarly, additional row portions 37 and 38 of spraycooling units are arranged at opposite sides of another heated liquidchannel and project liquid into the respective outer reservoir portions36 and 39. Likewise, from the angularly disposed heated liquid innerreservoir portion 19, additional spaced row portions of aligned spraycooling units project such liquid in opposite directions into outerreservoir portions 39 and 41. Finally, additional outer reservoirportions 42, 43 and 44 are located outside of and between the remaininginner heated liquid conduits or reservoir portions, such as 14 and 18.All of these outer reservoir portions are in communication with eachother around the outer ends of the spoke-like rows, as shown at theouter end of heated liquid conduit 21. From these outer reservoirportions, the cooled liquid can be returned at 46 to the operating plant12 for recirculation through the usual heat exchangers of such a plant.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the first row portion 27 along which aplurality of liquid spray cooling units are aligned includes alongitudinally extending intermediate base or support area 47 which atleast partially separates the respective inner and outer reservoirportions 22 and 31. This barrier section 47 desirably includes areinforced flat surface portion 48 on which service personnel orvehicles may readily move along the row 27 to inspect or service theindividual spray cooling units as needed. The reinforced portion of thisbarrier section 47 includes an upwardly projecting inner wall 49 whichdefines one edge of the inner reservoir 22 for heated liquid andmaintains a level 51 of such liquid which is above the surface 48.

The bottom 52 of the outer reservoir portion 31 is located somewhatbelow the level of the heated liquid channel 22, so that the liquidlevel 53 in outer reservoir portion 31 may be somewhat below the levelof the barrier surface 48.

The individual spray units 23 are aligned along the edge of the outerreservoir portion 31 and each individual unit includes a longitudinallyextending body portion 54 which serves as a common supply conduit forheated liquid received through one or more transverse conduits 56 fromthe heated liquid reservoir portion 22.

The preferred form of liquid cooling spray units 23 includes for eachunit a plurality of rotary disc-like spray members 57 all of which aremounted for rotation on a common longitudinal axis at 58 extending alongthe row or path 27. Each rotary spray member is supplied with liquid atan appropriate limited area of its surface, as shown in FIG. 2, by afurther individual supply conduit 59 extending upwardly from the commonconduit portion 54 and discharging liquid at 61 to the surface of thespray member.

As shown in FIG. 2, each spray member 57 is adapted to receive liquid at61 at a limited area horizontally opposite the axis of rotation 58, andeach spray member is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.2, to carry the liquid from point 61 and project it from the peripheryof the spray member in a plurality of trajectories as shown,substantially all of which have horizontal components extending in onehorizontal direction, i.e. horizontally to the right in FIG. 2. Byprojecting such liquid with drop sizes of at least I millimeter, and byrotating spray members 57 at peripheral speeds sufficient to project thedrops at initial tangential velocities in the range from to 45 feet-persecond, and by spacing the individual spray members along axis 58 atintervals sufficiently close so that the liquid drops are sprayedhorizontally to the right at a collective volume rate corresponding toat least 2 pounds of water per second for each linear foot measuredalong the axis 58 between the endmost spray members of each individualspray unit, a definite directional wind effect can be achieved whichproduces a horizontal current of air from the area immediately aboveinner reservoir 22 outwardly across the row 27 and over reservoirportion 31. Spray cooling units of the type just described are claimedin the first of my above identified co-pending applications. althoughother units capable of developing a directional wind effect, such as themodular units claimed in the other above identified co-pendingapplication may also be used as described in connection with FIGS. 3through 7 of this application.

Thus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of individual liquid coolingspray units are arranged in at least two different row portions, whichmay be angularly related to each other as shown by the rows 27 and 33,for example, or which may be arranged in parallel pairs as indicated bythe rows 27 and 29. Where such row portions are parallel to each otheras in the case of rows 27 and 29, the invention contemplates thearrangement of the individual spray units in such fashion that the sprayunits in one row project liquid in trajectories producing a directionalwind effect in one horizontal direction across one of the reservoirportions, while the liquid cooling units in the other row project liquidin trajectories having horizontal components extending in the oppositehorizontal direction. In this case, looking at rows 27 and 29, the sprayunits project liquid outwardly in opposite directions from the innerheated liquid reservoir portion 22 to the outer cooled liquid reservoirportions 31 and 32.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 7, a preferred liquid cooling assembly andinstallation according to the present invention is designed to conveyliquid in appropriate conduits, with spaced generally parallel rows ofliquid cooling spray units, through a continuous path from the heatedliquid outlet of a plant 62, over a sufficient distance to provide thedesired cooling effect for such liquid and then to return the cooledliquid to an appropriate inlet of plant 62. Thus the heated liquid fromthe usual heat exchangers of a plant 62 is initially fed to a channel 63which divides at point 64 into two spaced parallel outer channels orreservoir portions 66 and 67 for the heated liquid. Starting justdownstream from point 64, an inner reservoir portion or conduit forcooled liquid is shown at 68 extending along the desired path betweenthe outer portions 66 and 67. These respective conduit, i.e. reservoir,portions are separated from each other as shown more fully in FIGS. 4through 7 by intermediate rows 69 and 71, each of which includes alignedindividual liquid cooling spray units supported on a suitableintermediate barrier or path. Thus a barrier 72 separates reservoirportions 66 and 68, while another barrier portion 73 separates reservoirportions 67 and 68. These respective barrier sections include supportingareas 74 and 76, on each of which a plurality of modular individualspray units 77 of the type claimed in my above identified co-pendingapplication entitled MODULAR LIQUID COOLING SPRAY UNITS. These units arealigned in end-to-end relationship with each other as shown in greaterdetail in FIG. 6, and the individual units include trough portions, onewall of which provides at least part of the boundary of one of the outerreservoirs 66 or 67 as particularly shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.

Each modular unit 77 has a longitudinally extending trough which isdefined by a base portion 78, a rear wall portion 79 and a front wallportion 81. Wall 79 includes controllable openings (not shown) toestablish a heated liquid level within the trough which corresponds tothe heated liquid level in the outer reservoir portions 66 or 67, as thecase may be. These upwardly projecting trough walls 79 and 81 helpmaintain a liquid level in outer reservoir portions 66 and 67 which issufficiently above the liquid level in the inner cooled liquid reservoirportion 68 to insure proper operation of the spray units 77.

Each such spray unit 77 further includes a plurality of rotary disc-likespray members 83 mounted for rotation on a common longitudinal axis 84spaced forwardly from the trough portion of unit 77 at a level such thatportions of each spray member project downwardly below the expectedliquid level in the trough itself. Thus liquid can be fed directly bygravity from the trough portion of unit 77 through an appropriateconduit 86 which discharges desired volume rates of liquid at only aselected limited area of each spray member surface. As shown in FIG. 7,this limited area is essentially at the same horizontal level as theaxis of rotation 84 and is spaced rearwardly toward wall 81 from suchaxis. By rotation of the spray members 83, as previously described,liquid drops of the desired minimum particle size, initial velocity, andvolume rates are projected inwardly over and into the inner reservoirportion or cooled liquid conduit 68 in such a manner as to providedirectional wind effects inwardly in opposite directions from the outerheated liquid conduits 66 and 67, as shown by the heavy-line arrows inFIG. 7.

The manner in which a plurality of the modular units 77 can be alignedin each row with their adjacent ends in abutting contact with each otherto provide a continuous part of the reservoir boundary for areas 66 and67 is further illustrated in FIG. 6. Thus the arrangement of a pluralityof such modular units in such a manner that individual units can beseparately installed, removed or replaced, as needed, provides aflexible liquid assembly which can be arranged with parallel rowportions 69 and 71, which can even follow a curved path between adjacentrow sections extending in different directions. Such a curved path isshown in FIG. 6. Thus adjacent units are generally aligned with eachother, but are disposed with their individual axes of rotation 84 at aslight angle to each other, as will be apparent from the angularrelationship of adjacent rear wall portions 79 to form a continuousconduit wall portion as shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, this embodiment of the invention includes oppositefirst and second generally parallel row portions 69 and 71 which followa continuous path along a plurality of different sections extending indifferent horizontal directions. Thus, from inlet portion 63, theparallel row portions 69 and 71 extend diagonally through a firstportion, as shown at 87. The next section 88 of these parallel rowportions is oriented vertically, as viewed in FIG. 3, i.e. at an obtuseangle to the section 87. These parallel row portions 69 and 71 thencontinue through a corner section 89 to a generally horizontal portion91, as viewed in FIG. 3. The next downstream section of these conduitsand rows is shown at 93 at such an angle that the portions 93 areessentially parallel to the portions. 87. The next portion of the rowsat 94 is extending vertically, as seen in FIG. 3, along a directionparallel to the portions 88. Finally, the remaining portion 96 of theconduits and rows of aligned spray member units extends horizontally, asviewed in FIG. 3, back toward the plant 62. Portion 96 is thusessentially parallel to portion 91.

At the point where the liquid cooling assembly conduits reach plant 62,the outer conduit or reservoir portions 66 and 67 come to an end atpoints 97 and 98, while the inner cooled liquid reservoir or conduitportion 68 is connected at 99 to appropriate inlets for the usual heatexchangers within plant 62. As shown by comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5, theeffective liquid containing cross-sections of the respective reservoiror conduit portions are preferably changed along the path. Thus theinner reservoir portion has a gradually increasing liquid containingcross-section from the inlet end (FIG. 4) to the outlet end (FIG.Conversely, the outer reservoir portions have gradually decreasingliquid containing cross-sections from the inlet point to the outletpoint.

Thus the installation of FIGS. 3 through 7 provides a continuous pathfor recirculation of cooled liquid back to the plant 62 after it haspassed along a sufficiently long path to insure adequate cooling as theheated liquid is sprayed from the outer reservoir portions into theinner cooled liquid conduit 68. It will be understood that, as viewed inFIG. 3, the different sections 87, 88, 91, 93, 94 and 96 are orientedalong different compass directions, which are desirably selected inaccordance with the expected ambient wind conditions in the area ofplant 62. In all these portions, there will be a directional wind effectinwardly across the respective rows 69 and 71 from the outer conduit orreservoir sections 66 and 67 toward the inner reservoir or conduit 68.Depending on the ambient wind conditions, the spray units in one or moreof these portions can be kept out of operation, while the spray units inother portions can be kept in operation, in order to provide the optimumcooling effects without interference from such ambient conditions.

According to the principles already described, other embodiments of theliquid cooling assemblies and installations according to the inventionmay be made. In FIG. 8, for example, an embodiment is shown in which twopairs of row portions are arranged at right angles to each other so asto essentially enclose a central area into which liquid is projectedfrom all sides. Thus the installation 101 includes first and second rows102 and 103 each of which has a plurality of aligned liquid coolingspray units of the type already described. These rows of spray unitsproject liquid in opposite horizontal directions, i.e. toward each otherinto the inner reser- 5 voir area 104 between the rows. The liquid issupplied from outer heated liquid reservoir portions at 106 and 107.

Similarly, another pair of row portions 108 and 109 include liquidcooling spray units which are aligned in these rows at right angles tothe rows 102 and 103. Thus the two pairs of row portions effectivelyprovide a rectangular perimeter for the inner reservoir portion 104. Thespray units in rows 108 and 109 are oriented and arranged to projectliquid drops inwardly toward area 104 from outer reservoir portions 111and 112. All of these outer reservoir portions can be parts of a commonouter reservoir or can be supplied as separate outer conduits of heatedliquid, depending on the particular needs of a given installation.

In the arrangement of FIG. 8, as shown by the arrows in the drawing, theindividual spray cooling units will all provide directional wind effectsdirected inwardly toward the inner reservoir 104. Thus fresh air will beconstantly drawn from all sides of the installation to pro vide thedesired evaporative cooling effect for the projected liquid drops. Asthe liquid drops pass over and into the inner reservoir 104, thetemperature of the air in that area is increased as heat is picked upfrom the liquid drops. Since additional air is being forced in by thedirectional wind effects from all sides, and since the heated air aboveinner reservoir 104 tends to rise in any event, the installation of FIG.8 provides a sort of chimney effect in which heated air is constantlyremoved in a vertical upward direction to be carried away by what everambient air currents are present or to be recirculated outwardly anddownwardly and back in from the perimeter of the installation.

The schematic diagram of FIG. 9 shows the manner in which these createddirectional wind effects can provide more effective cooling when theambient wind conditions are directed along a row of spray units, i.e.perpendicularly across the trajectories in which liquid drops areprojected by such units. In this case the modular liquid cooling sprayunits 77 are arranged in two aligned rows 114 and 115, similar to thoseshown at 69 and 71 in FIGS. 3 through 7. The spray units in each row areoriented to project liquid drops inwardly over and into the innerreservoir section 116, and the projected liquid is received by the sprayunitsfrom outer reservoir portions or conduits 117 and 118. If theprevailing wind is directed along the rows 114 and 115, as shown byarrows 119, that portion of the ambient air currents which is passingalong the outside of the respective rows 114 and 115 will be directedinwardly by the directional wind effect of the unit 77, as shown by thearrows 121 and 122 respectively. The inwardly directed air currentswhich are received above the inner reservoir 116 from oppositedirections, then follow a pattern as shown by arrows 123 and 124 so thatthey are directed longitudinally along the rows in the same direction asthe ambient wind direction at 119. Since the air temperature in area 116is increased, however, by the evaporative cooling of the inwardlyprojected liquid drops, the heated air tends to rise and is forcedupwardly as it moves in the general direction of arrows 119. Thus heatedair is constantly removed upwardly and longitudinally from the area ofthe inner conduit or reservoir 116 as fresh cool air of lower moisturecontent is constantly fed in from the outer sides of rows 114 and 115.

Thus, the liquid cooling assemblies described in the presentspecification provide for more effective cooling of liquid on a largescale basis, as needed for the requirments of many plant installations.

According to the foregoing specification, the nature and background ofthis invention have been set forth, and some of the ways of practicingthe invention have been described, including the preferred embodimentspresently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out the invention.

1 claim:

1. A large scale liquid cooling assembly comprising a plurality ofliquid cooling spray units, each of which has a plurality of liquidspray members adapted for controlled projection of liquid drops intrajectories, substantially all of which have horizontal componentsextending in one common horizontal direction from the spray members ofthat particular spray unit, with drop sizes, velocities and volume ratesof liquid spraying adapted to provide a directional wind effect acrosssaid unit along said one horizontal direction, said assembly having saidspray units located and arranged in at least first and second rowportions with a plurality of spray units in each row portion, the sprayunits in the first row portion being aligned and oriented to projectliquid drops in a first horizontal direction across a reservoir portionadjacent said first row portion, and the spray units in the second rowportion being aligned and oriented to project liquid drops in a secondhorizontal direction across a reservoir portion adjacent the second rowportion, said first and second horizontal directions being angularlyoriented with respect to each other, said assembly of spray units androw and reservoir portions having said spray units located and arrangedin first and second spaced generally parallel rows with a plurality ofcooling units in each row, and having an inner reservoir portion betweensaid rows, a first outer reservoir portion outside the first row, and asecond outer reservoir portion outside the second row, the spray unitsin the first row being aligned and oriented to project liquid drops inone horizontal direction across one of the reservoir portions, and thespray units in the second row being aligned and oriented to projectliquid drops in the opposite horizontal direction.

2. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 1 in which the innerreservoir portion includes heated liquid to be cooled and the first andsecond outer reservoir portions are adapted to receive cooled liquidfrom said spray units, the spray units in said first row being alignedand oriented to project liquid drops outwardly over and into the firstouter reservoir portion and the spray units in said second row beingaligned and oriented to project liquid drops outwardly over the secondouter reservoir portion, said assembly further including conduit meansfeeding heated liquid from said inner reservoir portion to theindividual spray members of the spray units in each row.

3. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 1 in which said firstand second outer reservoir portions are adapted to contain heated liquidto be cooled and said inner reservoir portion is adapted to receivecooled liquid from said spray units, the spray units in each row beingaligned and oriented to project liquid drops inwardly over and into theinner reservoir portion.

4. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 3 in which the liquidspray units are arranged in a plurality of pairs of row portions with aplurality of cooling units in each row portion, and in which the firstand second rows of one pair of row portions extend generally along afirst horizontal direction and the first and second rows of another pairof row portions extend along a second horizontal direction at an angleto the horizontal direction of the first pair of row portions.

5. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 4 in which theindividual liquid cooling spray units in one row portion pair arecontrolled independently of the liquid cooling spray units of anotherrow portion pair, thereby providing for optimal selection of directionalwind effects for the respective pairs of row portions in accordance withambient wind conditions.

6. A liquid "cooling assembly according to claim 4 having its liquidcooling spray units aligned and oriented in two pairs of such rowportions at substantially right angles to each other, thereby enclosinga common rectangular inner reservoir portion toward which the individualspray units provide an incoming directional wind effect from each rowportion around the rectangular inner reservoir portion and from whichheated air resulting from evaporative cooling of the projected liquiddrops is forced vertically upwardly in a chimney effeet.

7. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim I in which a pluralityof pairs of said first and second row portions are arranged as divergingspokes extending radially in a plurality of different directions from acommon central point.

8. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 4 in which the pluralityof pairs of row portions extend along a common continuous longitudinalpath, between an inlet point at which heated liquid to be cooled isreceived by the first and second outer reservoir portions and a cooledwater outlet point at which cooled liquid is discharged from the innerreservoir portion, said inner and outer reservoir portions constitutingessentially continuous conduits from said inlet to said outlet, andhaving a plurality of relatively straight sections extendingsuccessively in different compass directions along the path between saidinlet and outlet.

9. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 8 in which said innerreservoir portion has a gradually increasing liquid containingcross-section from said inlet point to said cooled water outlet point,and in which said outer reservoir portions have gradually decreasingliquid containing cross-sections from said inlet point to said outlet.

1. A LARGE SCALE LIQUID COOLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFLIQUID COOLING SPRAY UNITS, EACH OF WHICH HAS A PLURALITY OF LIQUIDSPRAY MEMBERS ADAPTED FOR CONTROLLED PROJECTION OF LIQUID DROPS INTRAJECTORIES, SUBSTNTIALLY ALL OF WHICH HAVE HORIZONTAL COMPONENTSEXTENDING IN ONE COMMON HORIZONTAL DIRECTION FROM THE SPRAY MEMBERS OFTHAT PARTICULAR SPRAY UNIT, WITH DROP SIZE, VELOCITIES AND VOLUME RATESOF LIQUID SPRAYING ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A DIRECTIONAL WIND EFFECT ACROSSSAID UNIT ALONG SAID ONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION, SAID ASSEMBLY HAVING SAIDSPRAY UNIT LOCATED AND ARRANGED IN AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND ROWPORTIONS WITH A PLURALITY OF SPRAY UNITS IN EACH ROW PORTION, THE SPRAYUNITS IN THE FIRST ROW PORTION BEING ALIGNED AND ORIENTED TO PROJECTLIQUID DROPS IN A FIRST HORIZONTAL DIRECTION ACROSS A RESERVOIR PORTIONADJACENT SAID FIRST ROW PORTION, AND THE SPRAY UNITS IN THE SECOND ROWPORTION BEING ALIGNED AND ORIENTED TO PROJECT LIQUID DROPS IN A SECONDHORIZONTAL DIRECTION ACROSS A RESERVOIR PORTION ADJACENT THE SECOND ROWPORTION, SAID FIRST AND SECOND HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONS BEING ANGULARLYORIENTED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, SAID ASSEMBLY OF SPRAY UNITS ANDROW AND RESERVOIR PORTIONS HAVING SAID SPRAY UNITS LOCATED AND ARRANGEDIN FIRST AND SECOND SPACED GENERALLY PARALLEL ROWS WITH A PLURALITY OFCOOLING UNITS IN EACH ROW, AND HAVING AN INNER RESERVOIR PORTION BETWEENSAID ROWS, A FIRST OUTER RESERVOIR PORTION OUTSIDE THE FIRST ROW, AND ASECOND OUTER RESERVOIR PORTION OUTSIDE THE SECOND ROW, THE SPRAY UNITSIN THE FIRST ROW BEING ALIGNED AND ORIENTED TO PROJECT LIQUID DROPS INONE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION ACROSS ONE IF THE RESERVOIR PORTIONS, AND TBESPRAY UNITS IN THE SECOND ROW BEING ALIGNED AND ORIENTED TO PROJECTLIQUID DROPS IN THE OPPOSITE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION.
 2. A liquid coolingassembly according to claim 1 in which the inner reservoir portionincludes heated liquid to be cooled and the first and second outerreservoir portions are adapted to receive cooled liquid from said sprayunits, the spray units in said first row being aligned and oriented toproject liquid drops outwardly over and into the first outer reservoirportion and the spray units in said second row being aligned andoriented to project liquid drops outwardly over the second outerreservoir portion, said assembly further including conduit means feedingheated liquid from said inner reservoir portion to the individual spraymembers of the spray units in each row.
 3. A liquid cooling assemblyaccording to claim 1 in which said first and second outer reservoirportions are adapted to contain heated liquid to be cooled and saidinner reservoir portion is adapted to receive cooled liquid from saidspray units, the spray units in each row being aligned and oriented toproject liquid drops inwardly over and into the inner reservoir portion.4. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 3 in which the liquidspray units are arranged in a plurality of pairs of row portions with aplurality of cooling units in each row portion, and in which the firstand second rows of one pair of row portions extend generally along afirst horizontal direction and the first and second rows of another pairof row portions extend along a second horizontal direction at an angleto the horizontal direction of the first pair of row portions.
 5. Aliquid cooling assembly according to claim 4 in which the individualliquid cooling spray units in one row portion pair are controlledindependently of the liquid cooling spray units of another row portionpair, thereby providing for optimal selection of directional windeffects for the respective pairs of row portions in accordance withambient wind conditions.
 6. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim4 having its liquid cooling spray units aligned and oriented in twopairs of such row portions at substantially right angles to each other,thereby enclosing a common rectangular inner reservoir portion towardwhich the individual spray units provide an incoming directional windeffect from each row portion around the rectangular inner reservoirportion and from which heated air resulting from evaporative cooling ofthe projected liquid drops is forced vertically upwardly in a chimneyeffect.
 7. A liquid cooling assembly according to claim 1 in which aplurality of pairs of said first and second row portions are arranged asdiverging spokes extending radially in a plurality of differentdirections from a common central point.
 8. A liquid cooling assemblyaccording to claim 4 in which the plurality of pairs of row portionsextend along a common continuous longitudinal path, between an inletpoint at which heated liquid to be cooled is received by the first andsecond outer reservoir portions and a cooled water outlet point at whichcooled liquid is discharged from the inner reservoir portion, said innerand outer reservoir portions constituting essentially continuousconduits from said inlet to said oUtlet, and having a plurality ofrelatively straight sections extending successively in different compassdirections along the path between said inlet and outlet.
 9. A liquidcooling assembly according to claim 8 in which said inner reservoirportion has a gradually increasing liquid containing cross-section fromsaid inlet point to said cooled water outlet point, and in which saidouter reservoir portions have gradually decreasing liquid containingcross-sections from said inlet point to said outlet.